Here at Cooka’s Cookies, we just adore Autumn for so many different reasons. How can we resist the beautiful changing leaves, the light breeze in the air, hot chocolate afternoons, pumpkin picking at the local farm (mhhh, homemade pumpkin soup) – and BOOOOH, all those scary things on Halloween!

It’s not just a great time for us, but our furry families too. Those long walks in the forest and on the beach, digging up mountains of colourful leaves in search of who-knows-what... it’s just fun-time!

However, the change in season comes with a few hazards that we should keep in mind when taking our pups for a walk:

Acorns & conkers

Although conkers are a popular item of choice to play fetch with, they can also cause dogs to become ill if ingested. As well as possible obstruction in the gut, they contain a dangerous chemical called aesculin.

Acorns contain a toxin called tannic acid, which when ingested by dogs can lead to gastro-intestinal and kidney problems.

Symptoms for both include restlessness, vomiting and diarrhoea.

It’s best to bring a toy or wooden stick along, so there is less temptation to find other play-things.

Puddles

Allowing your dog to drink from puddles can be risky business, especially in urban areas. We may think that it’s just rain water – but we don’t know what was on the ground before the rain came. Antifreeze often leaks from cars and as we all know, it’s an extremely poisonous substance.

It tastes sweet to our furry friends, so they won’t hesitate to consume it. You may know if your pet has done so because they can act “drunk” afterwards and the consequences can be rather severe.

PLEASE always bring fresh water along on your walkies and if your pup still likes to drink in nature, make sure it is from a clean source.

Slugs

Dogs are no strangers to putting their noses where they shouldn’t belong (don’t we all know…). This is especially the case in the garden, as they love exploring and scavenging. Slugs may seem harmless, but they can cause unexpected health issues for dogs.

Slugs themselves do not contain any toxins or poisons, however, because they roam around in damp areas, they can easily pick up diseases, poisonous substances, parasites and man-made toxins which will then be transferred to your dog if ingested.

Colder weather

Although our four-legged friends are equipped with a warm fur coat and tough paw pads, they can still be vulnerable when the cold weather hits. It’s easy to spot when dogs are uncomfortably cold – they shiver just like we do. They may be lethargic or want to spend more time inside.

A good rule of thumb is that if it’s too cold for you, then it’s too cold for your dog. Also consider the breed of dog. Huskies, German Shepherds and Saint Bernards are more adaptable to colder weather, however, those with thinner hair can benefit from a cosy jumper or jacket.

While it’s best to keep your dog inside as the temperatures drop, outside kennels should also be kept warm with straw or hay. You may think that a couple of blankets and towels will do the job, but if these get damp, they can freeze and cause the opposite effect.

Fleas & ticks

These little buggers are capable of surviving the cold weather and will seek out warmer areas in your home, as well as take refuge on the warm bodies of animals such as squirrels and racoons. This means that they can still easily transfer themselves on to your dog, so we recommend year-round prevention treatments.

There are natural repellents available, which Cooka is very fond of. Rosemary and lavender are two of her favourite scents, which fleas absolutely detest.

Cooka’s Cookies are a home-grown company with a big heart. Our philosophy begins with providing the very best home-baked cookies for our furry friends. We are committed to providing our customers with nothing less than the healthiest and most nutritious products.